did the 103rd division get the pres.unit citation because I have my Grandfathers ribbons and there is a blueish purple one there but on his seperation papers it says that he was not wounded
Originally posted by milkmanjoe: did the 103rd division get the pres.unit citation because I have my Grandfathers ribbons and there is a blueish purple one there but on his seperation papers it says that he was not wounded
As a former awards/decorations clerk, perhaps your grandfather served in some other unit where he was either awarded or authorized to wear the Presidential Unit Citation. If he was awarded the PUC while a member of that unit, he was authorized to wear it forever. If he wore it while a member of a unit that was awarded it (but not while he was a member), he was not authorized to wear it after leaving that unit. Also, there is no requirement for you to be wounded in order to wear that award. That's what the Purple Heart is for.
This is from the official unit history page of the CURRENT 103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command. (reserves) "Individual Cactus Soldiers distinguished themselves earning 12 Distinguished Service Crosses, 1 Distinguished Service Medal, 299 Silver Stars, 3 Legion of Merit Medals, 14 Soldiers Medals, 2,699 Bronze Stars, and 92 Air Medals. One of the more well known commanders of the Cactus Division was Major General Anthony McAuliffe." Although my mother once showed me a newspaper clipping which claimed the unit received a presidential citation, I no longer have the clip to support this. In the book, Battle of the Bulge (Turner Publishing) the 103rd is credited as being the first allied unit to penetrate the Siegried Defensive line. near Weiler, Germany. However, some of the attached units, like the 803rd ordinance, were later attached to the 5th armored infantry, part of PAttons 3rd army. They DID win a presidential citation. Hope this helps.
